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Broncos' McGahee ends up on IR

Denver will not sign another back before game on Sunday

By Mike Klis The Denver Post

Posted:
11/21/2012 09:43:00 PM MST

Updated:
11/21/2012 09:43:05 PM MST

ENGLEWOOD -- After looking at some fairly well-known running backs from years past as a possible replacement to the injured Willis McGahee, the Broncos ultimately looked no further than their own locker room.

The Broncos could eventually sign free-agent running back Jacob Hester, who worked out with the team Wednesday. But neither Hester, nor Steve Slaton, who worked out for the team Tuesday, nor any other new player will be with the Broncos when they play Sunday at Kansas City.

"For this week, I think we feel very comfortable with who we have," Broncos coach John Fox said.

The Broncos cleared a roster space Wednesday by placing McGahee on injured reserve with a designation that he could return in time for the AFC championship game -- providing the team gets that far.

The Broncos take a 7-3 record and large AFC West lead into their game Sunday at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium against the 1-9 Chiefs.

McGahee suffered a torn medial collateral ligament and compression fracture of his right knee early in the second quarter of the Broncos' 30-23 victory Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

Other than opening a roster spot, little changed with McGahee going on the IR. Fox said Monday that McGahee would be sidelined six to eight weeks. The IR designation means McGahee will besidelined six weeks before he can return to practice Dec.

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31, which would mark the first day of the postseason.

Injured reserve designation rules would allow McGahee to play in a game in eight weeks -- which would be the week of the AFC championship game. This is a common sense procedural move that enables the Broncos to not waste a roster spot the next eight weeks.

Losing McGahee is a blow, both to the Broncos and his career. The Broncos' offense features a systematic passing game directed by quarterback Peyton Manning, but the running game has been a significant component because McGahee has proven to be an effective alternative to keep defenses honest.

McGahee has run especially well against nickel packages, which in turn has helped freeze defenders a split second during Manning's play-action pass attempts.

The Broncos don't really have another back like him. Hillman is an outside, speed runner. Ball is a solid back, but doesn't match the authority McGahee runs with between the tackles.

When last seen, Moreno was high-effort runner, but he hasn't been active in the Broncos' past eight games. He goes from two months without getting a game-day uniform to competing with Ball this week for the starting job.

"It's a great opportunity for Knowshon," Manning said. "He hasn't played, but he will be a part of it. It's going to be a three-man committee. Hey, this is the NFL. You are kind of used to where it doesn't matter what year you are or how old you are, if you're on an NFL roster you're expected to go in there and contribute and do your job."

A knee injury is tough on any NFL running back, but especially for McGahee, who turned 31 last month. He has two years left on his contract with the Broncos but no more money beyond this year is guaranteed.

McGahee has bounced back from worse knee injuries. He suffered a gruesome knee injury in his final college game for the University of Miami. The injury was so severe he missed his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills in 2003 to recover.

But he returned to average 1,143 yards in his first four playing seasons and he added 1,199 yards in 2011 in his first season with the Broncos. McGahee was on pace for another 1,000-yard season until his knee was struck Sunday by San Diego cornerback Quintin Jammer.

The Broncos could promote running back Jeremiah Johnson from their practice squad this week. Or they could fill McGahee's roster spot with a practice-squad player from another position.

The team worked out Slaton, a former 1,200-yard rusher for the Houston Texans, and Hester, a former San Diego Charger, this week, but both left Dove Valley without a contract.

"We'll pull from guys that we have that know our (offensive) system," Fox said. "It's hard for me to predict the future. We'll be day to day as far as that decision-making process goes."

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